News

Two Air Commandos Died After Training Accident

—Amy McCullough8/5/2015

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TSgt. Marty Bettelyoun,​ left, 35, a combat controller, and TSgt. Timothy Officer, 32, a tactical air control party airman, both assigned to the 720th Operations Support Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Air Force photos.

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Two special tactics airmen assigned to the 24th
Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., died from injuries sustained
during an Aug. 3 military freefall training mission at near​by Eglin Air Force
Base. TSgt. Timothy Officer, a tactical air control party airman, and TSgt. Marty B. Bettelyoun,
a combat controller, both assigned to the 720th Operations Support Squadron,
were rushed to nearby hospitals but later died from their injuries, according
to an Aug. 4 Air Force Special Operations Command release.
Officer and Bettelyoun “were the epitome of a special tactics airman:
professional, dedicated, and prepared to give their lives in service to their
country,” said Col. Wolfe Davidson, 24th SOW commander. “Our community has
taken a huge loss with their deaths, and they will be sorely missed.” Both
air commandos were experienced combat veterans with multiple
deployments in “combat zones and sensitive areas around the world,” states the
release. Officer received multiple medals for his “bravery against armed
enemies” in Iraq and Afghanistan, including a Bronze Star Medal with Valor. “They were respected by their peers for not only
their ability on the battlefield, but also for their incredible commitment to
friends and family,” said Davidson. “In the face of this tragedy, we will honor
their service and their sacrifice, and we request others respect their family's
privacy as they take it one day at a time."